Drama hits X Factor boot camp as nearly half are axed after first day

They all made it through the audition process but judges were in for a shock as they were faced with a deluge of bad singing, controversial behaviour and over-the-top campness at the first day of bootcamp.

While more than a third of the 211 contestants were axed before they'd even had the chance to sing again, the others faced hash criticism as they took to the stage in groups of three on Saturday night's show.

Superstar wannabe Rylan Clark gave judges a surprise as he showed up for his performance after a major image overhaul.

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Diva brigade: Gathan Cheema, Rylan Clark and Ottavio Columbro celebrate all getting through after an evening of rows

With dyed black hair and sporting a hair piece as shoulder pads, the
singer put in a below average performance after claiming that he'd lost
his voice during the sing-off challenge.

All of the remaining contestants were put into the groups of two or three and given 72 hours to prepare a song which they would then battle it out on stage in front of the judges.

But Rylan seemed to automatically feel the competition thanks to being put with fellow camp singers Gathan Cheema and Ottavio Columbro in his group.

Diva behaviour: Things initially became tense when Rylan found out he was on a sing-off with Ottavio and Gathan as tenses grew over their trio performance

Giving it their all: The judges seemed to enjoy the camp performance… and rewarded them all by putting all three through to the next round of Boot Camp

High five! Rylan was so ecstatic he jumped for joy as he ran off stage to greet his former nemesis

'We were rowing for most of the night', he admitted backstage to Dermot O'Leary before taking to the stage.

Despite falling out with fellow performer Gathan, Rylan seemed to charm the judges into putting him through to the next round after he was put in a sing-off like the rest of the wannabes.

And he couldn't hide his delight as he cuddled and yelped at Gathan and Ottavio as they ran off stage to celebrate getting through to the next round.

Taking its toll: Some of the contestants the judges presumed would do well disappointed at their second auditions, causing them to get frustrated

Skin of his teeth: Jahmene Douglas barely makes it through to the next round after a disastrous performance

Moment of truth: Jahmene faces his judgement after a disappointing performance

Shy supermarket worker Jahmene Douglas, who blew the panel away with his rendition of At Last at the first auditions, also caused controversy thanks to his lacklustre performance, which miraculously still bagged him a place in the next round.

He failed to get to grips with Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger, after admitting that he'd never heard the song.

After a disastrous performance, Jahmene admitted that he hadn't had the confidence to push for the song choice that he had wanted.

Passing with flying colours: Chimney sweep Kye Sones was one of the stand out stars who easily went through to the next round of auditions

Happy judges: James Arthur was also put through towards the end of Saturday night's dramatic show

Think that's a yes! While some wannabes disappointed the judges were also obviously chuffed with the performances they were seeing

'I should have stood up for myself,
because then I would have sung something that the judges would have been
impressed with but I’ve just come out feeling like I’ve let them down,' he said.

Despite his poor vocals, the judges decided to put him through after initially admitting they felt 'gutted' over what they had seen.

'Tomorrow I want to see and hear a different Jahmene,' said Louis Walsh.